Actuating mechanism for calculating-machines



I 1. F. MAYS. ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR CALCULATING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, l9l8.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. MAYS, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO MAYS ACCOUNTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, A CORPORATION 0 NORTH CAROLINA.

ACTUA'IING MECHANISM FOR CALCULATING-MACHINES.

Application filed January 31, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. MAYs. a citizen of the United States, residing at Birmingham, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Actuating Mechanism for Calculating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in calculating or adding machines and the like and more particularly to improved actuating mechanism for, the dials performing the calculating functions.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of means for obtaining what may be termed a lost motion driving connection in the dial actuating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a key actuated calculating machine means common to the dial actuating mechanism and controlling means for the carry mechanism whereby the number of parts is reduced to a minimum and the structure is greatly simplified.

Further objects of the invention are to improve the key touch of machines of this class and particularly those of the key-actuated type. to take up automatically backlash between the teeth of the gears which actuate the dials, and to otherwise improve the dialactuating mechanism in the respects hereinafter noted.

In general my invention is shown applied to that type of calculating machine in which there are independent actuating mechanisms for adding dials of different orders or denominations which actuating mechanisms are individually operated by manipulative means such as series or banks of depressible keys. but it is not intended to limit the invention to such type of machine.

Each dial actuating mechanism, which is operated by the keys on their down stroke, comprises a pinion which'through a ratchet and pawl construction operates the corresponding adding dial. A slot and pin connection between the pinion and an element carrying the pawl permits the pinion to advance one step before the pawl is moved to rotate the dial. The pawl carrying mem- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2,1919.

Serial No. 214,717.

ber is retained in normal position until the pinion has advanced one step at which time the pin of the slot and pin connection is in position to start to operate the pawl carrying element. Upon return movement of th actuating mechanism the pawl carrying element is arrested in normal position by a stop member and the pinion moves an additional step to normal position.

The aforesaid pinion of each dial actuating mechanism is operated by a segment fast on a shaft w iich is rotated differentially by the series of keys appropriate thereto. During the first step of rotation. the shaft operates controlling means for the carry mechanisms. During this first'step the dial is not operated because of the lost motion conmotion in the actuating mechanism.

In the present invention I employ many of the features of construction and arrangement of parts fully shown and described in my copending application for Letters Patent of the United States Serial Number 148,559, filed February 14;. 1917, wherein supplementary shafts are operated on the initial down stroke of the keys and before shafts forming part of the dial actuating mechanisms are operated by the keys. In the present invention the supplementary shafts are eliminated and the functions performed by them are accomplished by the shafts forming part of the actuating mechanism as above generally explained. In the particular form of embodiment disclosed herein the above explained lost motion connection is provided to permit operation of the control means for the carry mechanisms before the rotation of the dial is begun.

hile I have shown the invention in the illustrative form disclosed herein applied to a machine of the type disclosed in the aforesaid copending application, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto as it is equally well applicable to other types of calculating machines without departing from the scope of the invention.

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description.

In order to more fully understand my present invention reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a partial vertical section from front to rear of the machine showing one column of keys in elevation and showing the dial operating mechanism controlled thereby.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing in front elevation one of the escapement pa-Wls and operating connections for the carry mechanism.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

The machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises, among other parts, a machine casing having a top 1, a back plate 2, a vertical partition 3 interposed between the banks of keys 4 on one side and the operating mechanism for dials 5 on the other side, whiclrdials are mounted on shafts 6 journaled at their rear ends on a bearing bar 7 and at their forward ends in a cross bar 8. Below the banks of keys is a guide plate 9 provided with holes to receive and form a bottom guide for the lower ends of the key stems which at the end of their down stroke engage a base plate 10 of the machine.

The key stems of the 7, S and 9 keys are provided with rack teeth 11 as seen in Fig. 1. Thes teeth on each key are adapted to mesh with teeth of its respective toothed sector 13, one of which is made fast on each rocker shaft 14 opposite the '7, S and 9 keys of each column. Each of the keys of lower value than 7 in each column carries a pin which projects into a slot in the forward end of a lever 17, 17, 17 17 17, or 17 as the case may be, each of these levers projecting at their rear ends through slots in the back plate and having a pivoted bearing on pins (not shown) in a bracket 19 fast to the back plate 2. A common rack key 21 carries a stepped cross bar 22 disposed to be engaged by the levers 17, etc., and to be moved downwardly thereby to different distances depending on the value of the key depressed. Each rack key 21 carries teeth 11 adapted to mesh with teeth on its respective sector 13 on shaft 14 and serve to rotate the latter. The levers 17, etc., are pivoted at difierent distances from the rack key 21 and th bar 22 is stepped so that the rack key 21 is moved differentially from a uniform key movement. The rack bar is slidably mounted in guide plates 26 and the plate 9 and is returned to normal position by springs 25 connected to pins 24 on the bar 21 and the guide plates 26,. The keys are also returned to normal position after being depressed by suitable springs 23. The 7, 8 and 9 keys and the common rack key 21 carry ins (not shown) cooperating with arms not shown) on the sectors 13 to rotate the sectors for the purpose of bringing the teeth on the appropriate sector into engagement with teeth 11 on the key or common rack key depressed. The construction so far described is fully shown and described in the aforesaid copending application.

The driving mechanism for each dial comprises a toothed sector 36 fast on the forward end of the shaft 14 and meshing with a pinion 37 which together with its hub 105 turns freely on a hub 106 of a wheel 107 loose on the dial shaft 6. The rear ends of the hubs 105 and 106 abut against a collar 108. A sprin 109, coiled about the hub 105, is connectet at one end to a pin 110 on the pinion 37 and at its opposite end to a pm 111 which is carried by the wheel 107 and projects through a slot 112 in the pinion 37. The wheel 107 carries a pawl 113 (Fig. 2) which is held in engagement by a spring 119 with the teeth of a ratchet wheel fast on the shaft 6. A projection 111 on the wheel 107 normallv engages a projection 115 on a bar 116 (Fig. 3) which is common to all of the wheels 107 of different denominations.

Upon depression of a key the pinion 37 is rocked counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, through the shaft 14 and segment 36. The pin 111 is normally in engagement with the left hand end of the slot 112 as viewed in Fig. During the first step of movement of the pinion 37 from normal position, the tension of spring 109 is relaxed but it regains its normal tension upon the return movement of said )inion. \Vhen the pinion 37 completes its rst step of advance the right hand end of the slot 112 engages the pin 111 so that upon continued advancement of the pinion 37. the wheel 107 and therefore the ratchet 3S. shaft 6 and dial are advanced with it. The pinion 37 is returned to normal position with the sector 36 and shaft 14 responsive to a coil spring 39 on the shaft 14. The pawl carrying wheel is returned to normal position with the pinion 37 and it is arrested in normal position by engagement of its projection 114 with the projection 115 on the bar 116.

From the above description it can be seen that the pinion 37 travels one step more from normal position than the wheel 107, as the pinion 37 advances its first ste with a lost motion effect which does not impart movement to the wheel 107 and hence to the ratchet 38, shaft 6 and dial. The dial is rotated the number of steps corresponding exactly to the number of the key depressed and therefore the pinion 37, sector 36 and shaft 14 ar rotated an extra step by the key. Upon the return stroke of the key the pinion 37 and wheel 107 reverse their movement and when the wheel 107 reaches normal position its projection 11% engages the projecticn115 on the bar 116 bringing the Wheelto a stop, the pinion 37 being permitted to move an additional step to normal because of th slot and pin connection.

" Fast on the forward end of the shaft ii is a cam 81 cooperating with a dolly roll 85 on an arm 86 fast on a rocker shaft 87 journaled in brackets 88; An arm 90 fast on the shaft 87 is connected by a vertical link 91 to one arm of a bell crank lever 92, (Fig. 4,) which carries on its other arm a toothed segment 98. The segment 93 meshes with a gear 90 carrying a crank pin 98 which is connected to one end of a pull bar 99. The other end of the bar 99 is pivotally connected to a bracket 100 connected to a reciprocating bar 101 that is mounted upon the several arms73 of locking escapement pawls and 77. The cam 81 and dolly roll are so constructed that the shaft 87 is rocked during th v first step of movement of the shaft 1% upon down stroke of the keys. This rocking movement of the shaft 87 through the arm 90, bell crank lever 92, gear 90, pull bar-.99 and reciprocating bar 101. op crates the ,pawls 75 and 77. Such operation of the pawls 7 5 and-7 7 locks a wheel (30 of the carry mechanism for each dial against operation during actuation of the dials and releases a toothed wheel 68 fast on the dial shaft 6 to permit actuation of the dial. During the last step of return movement of the shaft 1%, the shaft 87 and the above described parts operated thereby are returned to normal poisition by a coil spring (not shown) mounted on the shaft 87. The carry mechanism is shown partially in cross section in Fig. 1 but is not described in detail here as it is fully shown, described and claimed in the aforesaid copending application in whichthe cam 81, dolly roll 85 and operating connections, shown in Fig. 4:, between the dolly roll and bar 101 are also mor fully shown and described In said copending application, however,

the cams 81 are mounted on supplementary shafts below the shafts 1i and a supplementary shaft is operated on the initial part of the down stroke of a key and before the key begins to rotate the shaft 14: so that the pawls 75 and 77 are operated to lock the wheels 60 of the carry mechanism and release the wheels 68 to permit operation of the dial by the actuation of the shaft 1% and intermediate actuating mechanism. In the present invention the shafts 1: perform the functions of the corresponding shafts and upplementary shafts of the aforesaid copending application. It can now be seen that the lost motion effect between the pinion 37 and the wheel 107 is provided so that the pawls 75 and 77 may be operated during the first step of movement ofthc pinion 87 to permit operation of the dial and lock part of the carry mechanism. lnthis way the lost motion effect in the actuating mechanism allows the elimination ofv the supplementary shafts the copending applica tion thus eliminating heavy parts, greatly simplifying the construction, and cheapcning its production.

The so-callcd lost-motion device hereinbefore described not only pr vides a period during the initial movement of each key for the actuation of the carry control mechanism, but it possesses other practical advantages which contribute to greater efficiency in the operation of the machine. By providing lost motion in the dial actuating pinion, the pressure necessary to initiate the depression of a key is greatly reduced for the reason that the number of parts to be set in motion from a standstill and, hence, the inertia to be overcome upon the connnenccment of the down stroke of the key, is re duced. Also, the spring connecting the pin ion and the cooperating ratchet wheel acts to turn the pinion and it thereby maintains a thrust between the teeth of the pinion and its actuating sector, thus taking up backlash between the pinion and sector and, hence, insuring proper reengagemcnt of the dial-actuating ratchet mechanism when the ratchet wheel and pinion return to normal position. This yicldable lost motion t evicc furthermore arrests the return .lllUVO- mcnt of thz pinion and coiipe ating ratchet wheel to normal position without shock or jar and it prevents rebound of the ratchet wheel when the latter returns to normal position against its stop, due to the action of the spring which yieldingly presses the stop on the ratchet wheel against the fixed stop.

lVithout limiting myself to the specific mechanism herein shown, what I claim is z- 1. In a calculating n achinc, dials, keys, actuating mechanism for the dials comprising an actuator adapted to rotate the dial in response to depression of a key, a driving wheel for advancing the dial in response to the depression of a key, an intermediate yieldable means between the dial driring wheel and the actuator to permit a slight dcpression of the key in advance of the movement of the dial driving wheel.

2. In a calculating machine, dials, keys, actuating mechanism for the dials. operated by the keys and comprising a gear sector, a pinion geared to the sector, a dial driving wheel, and intermediate means between the pinion and the dial driving wheel yieldable to permit a greater angular movement to the pinion than to the dial driving wheel and operative to take up backlash between the pinion and sector.

3. In a calculating machine, keys, dials, and dial-actuating mechanism operative in response to the depression of the keys and comprising a ratchet mechanism for rotat- 111g; the dials in response to the depression ot, a key, and connections intermediate said operated by said pinion, a lost; motion-com' nection: between said pinion and wheel! whereby the )inionis-moved fil'fiti'in. advances of said wheel and issubsequentlyxmovod im 5 ratchet mechanismrand the keys to permit a the same diiection and! in uni on with-said 7.0 slight depression of a key in advance oh the wheehcausingithelatter to advance the'diah. opeiationof the ratchet mechanism. and spring, means for tensioning both that 4. In: acalculating machine, dials, keys, pinionand seid-wheelltowaul a normal-posidial-operating mechanism operative in retion..

sponse tothedepression of a key and com- 9., In a calculatinggmachine, dials, a drive 78 prising a ratchetmechanism for rotating the ing sector, means comprising; two members dials in response to the depression of a key, one of.- whichis inimeshwithithe driving seoconnections including'a pinion with a slot, a tor andtheother of which is rotatively constop for positioning said ratchet mechanism nectedwith the dial, and:a yieldable-connwin normal posit-ion, a pin adapted to engage tion between the two members whereby said-v 80' in the slot and connected to the ratchet members are given difierent angular movemochanism, and a spring normally tensionments in the same direction by each actuating' pin to a rearward position, thus holding ing: stroke of the sector to effect rotation of the ratchet mechanism against said stop, the the dial.

slot, pin and spring co-acting to permit a 10. In acalculatingn'iachine,.dials, act/nat- M:

slight depression of a key in advance of the ing' mechanisms for the dials, eachcomprisoperation of said ratchet mechanism. ing a driving member, a driven member, and

In a calculating machine, keys, dials, co-acting conncctions between said members actuating mechanism for each dial including whereby the driving members are permitted two driving elements one of which is adto advance one step from normal position Q0- vanced to actuate the dial simultaneously befor becoming interengaged for-movement, with and in response to the depression of a as one with-the drivenmember, and a series key and the other of which elements is adof fixed steps arranged to hold the driven vanced in the direction of advance of the membersin a normal position'oue step in adfirst mentioned element only after the first vance of the driving members. 96 mentioned element has advanced to a pre- 11. In a calculatingmachine, dials, rotary determined extent, a stop for positioning the shafts carrying the dials, ratchet mechasccond mentioned element in normal posi nisms for advancing the dials, actuating tion, and a spring acting on said second mechanismsfor the dials, each comprising a mentioned element to hold it in normal poSidriving wheel and a driven wheel for actuat- 100 tion against said stop. ing the dial advancing natchct mechanism,

6. In a calculating machine, keys, dials, connections between said driving-anddriven. actuating mechanism for each dial, includwheels which permit limited relative moveing a ratchet connection comprising an elements between said wheelswhereby the drivlnent having a positive reciprocatory moveing wheels are permitted to advance one step 105 ment to advance the dials in response to a before becoming intercngaged for continued stroke of a key and a dial actuating element movement in the same direction and in uni. adapted to be driven to advance the dial by son with the driven wheels, stops for deterthe first named element, the first named elemining the normal positions ofthe driven ment having a greater movement than the wheels and means for yieldingly holding 110 dial actuating element and making one step said driven wheels normally against said of its movement before the movement of the stops. I dial actuating clement commences, and 12. In a calculating machine, dials, actuspring means for tensioning both of said ating mechanisms for the dials, each comelements toward a retracted position when at prising. a driving wheel, a driven wheel hav- 1,15

rest. mg a stop'thereon, and means whereby the- 7. In a calculating machine, keys, dials, driving wheel. is permitted to, adyance one actuating means for the dials comprising step before becoming interengaged for move driving wheels adapted to actuate the dials ment in unison with the driven wheel, anda in response to the depression of the respecseries of fixed stops arranged to be engaged 1'20 tive keys and engaging wheels adapted to by said stops onthe driven wheels when the be actuated by the respective driving wheels, latter are in normal position to hold said and means for rendering the engaging driven wheels one step in advance of the wheels inoperative until the keys have been driving wheels.-

slightly depressed. 13. In a calculating machine, an adding I25 8. In a calculating machine, dials, columns dial, a driving sector, connections intermediof keys, actuating'mechanism for each dial ate the sector and the respective dial to be comprising a movable member common to actuated thereby comprising a drivingmema column of keys, a pinion operative by said ber actuated by the respective sector, a

member, a dial driving wheel adapted to be driven member for actuating the corre- 13a spending dial, a yieldable lost-1notion connection between the twomembers which permits the driving member to advance a step preliminary to the advance of the driven member and maintains a tension on the driven memberto hold'the latter from advancing during the preliminary advancing movement of the driving member, and a "relatively fixed stop against which said driven member is held'by said tension duringthe preliminary advancing movement of the driving member 1 1. In a' calculating machine, dials, keys, actuating mechanism for each of the dials adapted to rotate its respective dial in response to the operation of its corresponding key and comprising a pinion operative in direct response to the operation of the corresponding key, a dial-rotating Wheel, a lost motion connection between said pinion and Wheel for permitting the pinion to act in advance of the dial-rotating Wheel, carry control means for each dial, and mechanism operative directly by the dial-actuating mechanism during such advance action of the pinion to actuate said carry control means.

15. In a. calculating machine, keys, dials,

carry mechanismfor the dials, means for controlling the carry mechanism, and dial actuating mechanism operative to advance the dial in response to movement in one direction of a key and including a driving connection permitting part of the actuating mechanism to advance one step during such movement of the key before the operation of the dials is begun, said controlling means being operated during said advance step of movement of said part of the actuating mechanism.

i 16. In a calculating machine, keys, dials, carry mechanism for the dials, means for controlling the carry mechanism, dial actuating mechanism operative to advance the dial in response to movement in one direction of a key and including a driving connection permitting part of the actuating mechanism to advance one step during such movement of the'key before the operation of the dials is begun, said controlling means being operated by said part of the actuating mechanism during said advance step of movement of the latter.

17 In a calculating machine, dials, carry mechanism for the dials, means for controlling the carry mechanism, and dial-actuating mechanism operative to advance the dial in response to movement in one directlon of a key, and including a pin and slot, one adapted forintermittent action upon the other to permit part of the actuating mechanism to advance one step during such movement of the key before the operation of the dial is begun, said controlling means being pin and slot, one adapted for intermittent action upon the other to permit part of the actuating mechanism to advance one step during said movement of the key before the operation of the dial is begun, said controlling means being operative by said part of the actuating mechanism during the advance step of the latter.

19. In a calculating machine, dials, keys, rocker shafts operative by the keys, mechanisms for rotating the dials approximately simultaneously with the operation of the respective rocker shafts and each comprising ratchet mechanism for engaging the dials and connections intermediate said ratchet mechanism and the respective rocker shaft, carry mechanism for the dials, and controlling means forthe carry mechanism operative by said rocker shaft in advance of the operation of the ratchet mechanism. I

20. In a calculating machine, dials, keys, diiferential actuating mechanism operative by the keys, a rocker shaft operative by said differential actuating mechanism to advance the respective dial in response to the down stroke of a key and having co-acting interlocking ratchet connections whereby the dial is not rotated by the initial part of the down stroke of such key, carry mechanism for the dials, and controlling means for the carry mechanism operative by said rocker shaft during the said initial part of the down stroke of the key.

21. In a calculating machine, dials, carry mechanism therefor, control means for the carry mechanism, actuating mechanisms for each dial comprising a positive element and a dial advancing element having a lost motion connection with said positive element,

keys, a member movable differentially by said keys to operate said positive element of the actuating mechanism, and means for operatingsaid control means during the first part of movement of said member and during which step the dials are not operated through the action of said lost motion connection between the positive element and the dial advancing element.

22. In a calculating machine, dials, keys,

actuating mechanism for the dials, a shaft for driving the actuating mechanism in response to the down stroke of the keys, carry mechanism for the dials, and control means for the carry mechanism operative by said shaft. 1

23. In a calcuhtting machine, dials,.keys, actuating mechanism tor the dials, a shaft for driving the actuatlng mechanism in-response to the down stroke of the keys, carry .mechanism for the dials, and control'means same, carry mechanism for the dials, and

control means for the carry mechanism common to and operated by said shafts.

25. In a. calculating machine, dials, actuati [mechanism for each-dial, an operat sha t for eachactuatin .mechanism, a ba gg of keys for each she. t ,for operating the same, carry mechanism tor the dials, and control means for the carry mechanism common to and operated by said shafts in advance of the operation of the dials by the actuating .mechanism.

In testimony whereoflafiix my s' nature.

JAMES F. AYS. 

